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Book Synopsis'A thorough, objective telling of McCartney's story - in and out of the most famous band ever.' ESQUIREThe first biography written with McCartney's approval and with access to family members and friends closest to him.In 2013, Sir Paul McCartney granted Philip Norman 'tacit approval' as his biographer. The result is a masterly and complex portrait of the most successful songwriter in history.It gives a unique insight into McCartney's childhood, blighted by the loss of his mother when he was fourteen, and into the creative symbiosis and fierce rivalry between John Lennon and himself that powered the Beatles' music. Here, too, for the first time, is the full story of McCartney's triumphant but troubled post-Beatles years: the tragic death of his first wife, Linda, and the chaotic divorce from his second wife, Heather Mills.Paul McCartney is the definitive life of a long-misunderstood genius that superbly evokes half a century of popular music and culture.Trade ReviewNorman is an enviably skilled pen-portraitist, with a consummate ability to conjure the presence of [McCartney] ... A powerful sense of McCartney the man comes across in this book's evocative high points ... A capably executed biography, brimming with detail -- John Harris * THE GUARDIAN *A thorough, objective telling of McCartney's story - in and out of the most famous band ever. But it's also a breezy read, considering the tremendous ground it covers -- Jeff Slate * ESQUIRE.COM *Meticulous character study that adeptly shuns hero worship -- Bill Prince * GQ magazine *Where [the] book succeeds the most is bringing the reader into McCartney's private life... The most up-to-date account of Paul's life to yet appear * THE ECONOMIST *A compelling narrative about a working-class Liverpudlian whose extraordinary musical gifts made him the most successful songwriter in history... McCartney emerges from [the book] as a textured but decent man -- Graham Boynton * NEWSWEEK *Norman makes meaningful use of his access to members of Macca's Liverpool clan, a colourful crew to whom he's always remained close, as well as many business and musical associates, friends, lovers, collaborators and flunkies ... The Beatles story is so amazing in every respect that when it's told as well as this, it's worth reading again -- Allan Jones * UNCUT *An enormous and sympathetic book ... The story of its subject's life from his childhood in Liverpool through the breakup of the Beatles in 1970 has lost none of its ability to charm ... One of the best stories the past century has to tell -- Dwight Garner * NEW YORK TIMES *Philip Norman's considered biography portrays the 'cute' Beatle in all his creative complexity and breadth -- Neil Spencer * THE GUARDIAN *This biography is a compelling chronicle of the life of an immortal icon -- Ed Murphy * HOT PRESS *This 800-page opus is crammed with detail ... Read it for the detail and humour of the early years, and marvel at the revelations * i PAPER *Meticulous detail ... you can even smell the sweat, rat shit and basement mold in the Cavern Club ... Even Macca, who, to Norman's surprise, agreed to give him "tacit approval" without directly particpating, apparently had to concede that the guy is a Beatles scholar to reckon with. The Beatles' startlingly brief career is recounted expertly; Norman knows his facts ... vivid storytelling ... Norman gets as close as anyone has yet. -- Will Hermes * ROLLING STONE *Norman is perhaps the only biographer to provide an exegesis of the one Beatle most everyone gets wrong. This is thrillingly thorough stuff ... richness of detail ... McCartney is a rounded figure here -- Brian Boyd * THE IRISH TIMES *[Norman] is a good interviewer and the book is charming when he lets his Liverpool sources speak about the days before the Beatles were inevitable ... Paul McCartney is full of things that happened to Paul McCartney and through absurd fame and a few tragedies he appears to be an unusually decent man with few regrets * THE SCOTSMAN *Written with the tacit approval of its subject, Philip Norman's Paul McCartney: The Biography is the most thorough examination to date of the ex-Beatle's life and music, also serving to set the record straight on McCartney's central importance in the group once described as "the 20th century's greatest romance" * CHOICE magazine *A colourful and detailed account of Macca's life and music * SAGA magazine *A very fair and multi-layered biography * MAIL ON SUNDAY - Summer Reads *What's left to reveal about one of the most chronicled musicians of the 20th century? As it turns out, a great deal. With the notoriously guarded McCartney's "tacit approval," Norman sheds new light on well-known Beatles stories and then goes further, forging a thoroughly absorbing account of McCartney's life after the group's breakup: business ventures, parenthood, personal tragedy, the struggle to live and create beyond the legacy of his fabled band. The result is a tantalizing trip down the legend's own long and winding road. * HUFFINGTON POST *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE 2025 PENDERYN MUSIC BOOK PRIZERough Trade Book of the YearUncut Book of the Year Mojo Book of the YearA Guardian Book of the YearA Daily Mail Book of the YearA Financial Times Book of the YearA Resident Book of the YearA Telegraph Book of the YearA Daily Express Book of the Year'Will has finally written his masterpiece. I'm glad I could be of assistance' LAWRENCELawrence is the greatest pop star who never made it, his dreams of glory thwarted over the past five decades by bad luck and self-sabotage. At sixty-one, he set off on a new mission: to escape poverty, obscurity and the humiliation of kids at the bus stop laughing at him by writing a smash hit. But what is the cost of a dream?In 1980, Lawrence formed Felt, releasing ten albums and ten singles in ten years. In 1991, he reinvented himself with novelty-pop outfit Denim. Signed to EMI, riding the wave of Britpop, in 1997, Denim's song 'Summer Smash' became Radio 1's Single of the Week and looked like a sure-fire hit. Then Princess Diana was killed in a car crash. All copies were melted down. Crushing depression, addiction and homelessness followed... but in the face of it all, Lawrence never gave up.In Street-Level Superstar, bestselling author and journalist Will Hodgkinson follows Lawrence as he rebuilds his life. He gets mistaken for an old lady by an amorous pensioner, is reduced to dragging sacks of 2p coins to his local bank and wanders through London's distant suburbs in search of lyrical inspiration. As they walk together down rain-soaked streets, Will tells the story of Britain's most eccentric cult star. Will he write the greatest song the world has ever known before the year is out? And was it worth sacrificing everything - family, relationships, health, sanity - for art?

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Book Synopsis__________________________________'A remarkable novel, elegant, wise, and beautifully constructed.' Roddy DoyleTommy Mays, Titan Records' biggest act, is verging on a mid-life crisis; learning the hard way that a life of fame and fortune comes at a price. But things are looking up for his support band, The Burn, which could be a career-changer for Theo, Titan's young A&R executive. Meanwhile, secretary Cynthia has her eyes on Titan's latest rising star, singer-songwriter Lenore Lamont. But with a billboard in Times Square, is Lenore starting to feel the pressure?Set in the sleek offices, high-tech recording studios and hip downtown clubs of New York, The Words of Every Song depicts the realities of making it in an industry where glamour and fame can often conceal the harsh realities for those hoping to hit the big-time.Trade ReviewThis is a remarkable novel, elegant, wise, and beautifully constructed. I loved the book, and admired the work and spark that went into it.Impressive ... Moore crafts a clever cycle of interconnected short stories about players in New York City's music industry. * People *The kind of book you want to read twice. The first time you read it for the well-told story, the second time for another look at the inventive way [Moore] tells it. * Boston Now *Imagine having happened upon Dylan singing in Harvard Square, or having caught one of Joni Mitchell's early shows at an empty club. This is how I felt reading Liz Moore's lyrical and powerful debut novel, like I was witnessing a timeless artist on the verge of transcendence. The Words of Every Song is a virtuoso performance. These beautifully rendered characters are melodies that echo in your head, chords that reverberate in your heart, and, long after you've turned the last page, you can still hear the audience calling for an encore.Sweet, wistful, artfully arranged: like the best mix tape anyone ever made for you. * Kirkus starred review *

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Book SynopsisHow does one young man survive the deaths of his entire family and manage to make something worthwhile of his life? In Things The Grandchildren Should Know Mark Oliver Everett tells the story of what it''s like to grow up the insecure son of a genius in a wacky Virginia Ice Storm-like family. Left to run wild with his sister, his father off in some parallel universe of his own invention, Everett''s upbringing was ''ridiculous, sometimes tragic and always unsteady''. But somehow he manages to not only survive his crazy upbringing and ensuing tragedies; he makes something of his life, striking out on a journey to find himself by channelling his experiences into his, eventually, critically acclaimed music with the Eels. But it''s not an easy path. Told with surprising candour, Things The Grandchildren Should Know is an inspiring and remarkable story, full of hope, humour and wry wisdom.

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Book SynopsisWill Hagle is a writer from Champaign who lives in Los Angeles.Trade ReviewHagle’s Madvillainy is one of the best of the series because it jettisons the stale rules of music writing (no forced canonization needed here!) in favor of a narrative structure that echoes the album’s aesthetics. * Southwest Review *Table of Contents1. The Daily Daily vs. Music Journalism 2. Preface 3. MF DOOM 4. Madlib 5. Like a Folklore Legend 6. Madvillain 7. The Next Decade(s) Acknowledgments Notes

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Book SynopsisDiscover the fascinating story behind the rise of a new pop icon: Dua Lipa.When Dua Lipa was eleven, her music teacher told her she wasn’t good enough to join her school choir – her husky voice couldn’t reach the high notes.Now, she’s a global star. Her songs are pop anthems, streamed billions of times; she’s collaborated with everyone from Calvin Harris and Miley Cyrus to Madonna and Elton John; she’s won Grammys, BRITs and MTV awards; and she’s the biggest homegrown talent to emerge from the UK music scene since Ed Sheeran and Adele. Dua’s rise has been all the more impressive given that her Kosovan parents arrived in London as refugees, but her determination, hard work and undeniable voice have seen her transcend these humble beginnings, all while remaining fiercely proud of her heritage.In this revealing biography from the publishers of Harry, Ariana and Adele, pop music journalist Caroline Sullivan charts Dua’s incredible journey to pop superstardom. Spanning everything from her mainstream breakthrough to her sold-out Future Nostalgia Tour, and exploring her influences, activism and high-profile personal life, it paints the most complete portrait yet of this icon in the making.

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Book SynopsisAlong with Factory, Mute, and Creation, Some Bizzare was the vanguard of outsider music in the 1980s. The label s debut release reads like a who s who of electronic music, featuring early tracks from Soft Cell, Depeche Mode, Blancmange, and The The, while over the next decade its roster would include artists such as Marc Almond, Cabaret Voltaire, Einsturzende Neubauten, Foetus, Swans, Coil, and Psychic TV. For a time, Some Bizzare was the most exciting independent record label in the world, but the music is only half of the story. Self-styled label boss Stevo Pearce s unconventional dealings with the industry are legendary. Sometimes they were playful (sending teddy bears to meetings in his place), other times less so (he and Marc Almond destroyed offices at Phonogram and terrorised staff). Despite this, he was a force to be reckoned with. His preternatural ability to spot talent meant his label was responsible for releasing some of the decade s most forward-thinking, transgressive, and influential music. The Some Bizzare story spans the globe: from ecstasy parties in early 80s New York to video shoots in the Peruvian jungle, from events in disused tube stations to seedy sex shows in Soho. There were million-selling singles, run-ins with the Vice Squad, destruction at the ICA, death threats, meltdowns, and, of course, sex dwarves. For a time, Stevo had the music industry in the palm of his hands, only for it all to slip through his fingers. But he and Some Bizzare left a legacy of incredible music that still has an influence and impact today.

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times bestselling memoir from the legendary Gucci Mane spares no detail in this “cautionary tale that ends in triumph” (GQ). For the first time Gucci Mane tells his extraordinary story in his own words. It is “as wild, unpredictable, and fascinating as the man himself” (Complex). The platinum-selling recording artist began writing his remarkable autobiography in a federal maximum security prison. Released in 2016, he emerged radically transformed. He was sober, smiling, focused, and positive—a far cry from the Gucci Mane of years past. A critically acclaimed classic, The Autobiography of Gucci Mane “provides incredible insight into one of the most influential rappers of the last decade, detailing a volatile and fascinating life...By the end, every reader will have a greater understanding of Gucci Mane, the man and the musician” (Pitchfork).

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Book SynopsisMind GamesMind GamesMind GamesMind Games

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Book SynopsisFrom the platinum selling recording artist and New York Times bestselling author of The Autobiography of Gucci Mane comes THE GUCCI MANE GUIDE TO GREATNESS - an unprecedented look at Gucci Mane’s secrets to success, health, wealth and self-improvement.From Gucci: 'I live by the principles in this book. I wanted to write this book to give you a tool set. This book should touch people who are going through something. It’s not going to be easy. But study these words, and put them into action. I want this book to keep you motivated. I want you to keep coming back to it for guidance and inspiration. You can put it on your shelf and keep going to TheGucci Mane Guide to Greatness. This book is a challenge. Don’t underestimate yourself. Don’t think that what you’re saying is not important. Don’t think you can’t achieve the impossible. Everyone needs some game, so here i

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Book SynopsisThe followers - this book is not for you. The salt of the earth - this book is not for you. The worthy - this book is not for you. The ideologists - this book is not for you. Hedonists and bohemians - this book is not for you. The middlebrow - this book is not for you. The highbrow - this book is not for you. Dilettantes - this book is not for you. 1970s middle school RE teachers - this book is not for you. The England football team (women's and men's) - this book is not for you. The litanists - this book is not for you. Gatekeepers - this book is not for you. Gamekeepers - this book is not for you. (Not even for the poachers...)The curators - this book is not for you. The left, the right - this book is not for you. The list-makers - lists are for shoppers not rockers, and this book is not for you. This is not a list - this is a manifesto, and this book is for ... the Freaks. Musician and author Luke Haines embarks on an odyssey through the ages, exploring how the 'freaks' infiltrated modern culture - and almost won the rock 'n' roll wars - only to lose to the rise of Cool Britannia and TV 'talent' shows that turned the strange and the outsiders into fodder for laughter. In this ultimate celebration of freakdom, Haines tells the story of pivotal freaks - including Johnnie Ray, Gene Vincent, Hank Marvin, Syd Barrett, the Incredible String Band and Big Youth - through the prism of rock 'n' roll and explains how freaks infiltrated wider culture through history in the form of the Cathars, the Ranters, Hells Angels and the Yippies. Part memoir, part manifesto, Freaks Out! is a righteous alternate history of rock 'n' roll.

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Book SynopsisâLISTEN. The greatest feeling I ever had in my life â with my clothes on â was when I first heard Diz and Bird back in 1944. Iâve come close to matching the feeling of that night, but Iâve never quite got there. Iâm always looking for it, trying to always feel it in and through the music I play . . .â

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Book SynopsisGorgeously illustrated and authoritatively written, Fender®is the officially licensed celebration of the legendary brand’s iconic guitars, amps, and basses.Table of ContentsContents Introduction Chapter 1 California Dreamin’: Young Leo Fender and the Radio Store, 1909–1946 Chapter 2 Wood, Wire, and Steel: The Birth of Fender Electric Instrument Co., 1946–1949 Chapter 3 Twang Comes to Town: The Telecaster Arrives, 1949–1952 Chapter 4 Radical Curves: The Stratocaster and the Precision Bass, 1951–1959 Chapter 5 The Need for Tweed: Fender Amps of the Fifties, 1948–1960 Chapter 6 All That Jazz: Offset Guitars and Upmarket Advertising, 1957–1962 Chapter 7 Surf’s Up: Tolex Amps, Reverb, and Evolving Guitars, 1959–1967 Chapter 8 Executive Order: The Mustang Debuts, and CBS Comes Knocking, 1962–1969 Chapter 9 Feelin’ Groovy: Pianos, Pedals, and Psychedelic Guitars, 1964–1970 Chapter 10 Saved by the Bill: Declining Quality and a Management Buyout, 1969–1985 Chapter 11 Hot-Rod Rock: The Custom Shop and Relic Guitars, 1985–1999 Chapter 12 Border Song: Fender Amps Roar Back, 1984–2023 Chapter 13 Pro Shop: Vintage Reissues and Modern Masterpieces, 2010–2023 Chapter 14 Future Perfect: The Next 75 Years, 2023–2096 Acknowledgments Image Credits Index

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Book SynopsisThe candid, hilarious, shocking, occasionally horrifying, and surprisingly moving New York Times bestselling autobiography of punk legends NOFX, their own story in their own wordsNOFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub and Other Stories is the first tell-all autobiography from one of the world''s most influential and controversial punk bands. Fans and non-fans alike will be shocked by the stories of murder, suicide, addiction, counterfeiting, riots, bondage, terminal illness, the Yakuza, and drinking pee. Told from the perspective of each of the band''s members, this book looks back at more than thirty years of comedy, tragedy, and completely inexplicable success.Trade Review"Better than Rancid's book."--Brian Baker, Minor Threat/Bad Religion "What can I say? There are not enough real punk bands left in this world we live in. If you need a little history lesson on how all this shit started, and what the true meaning of being punk rock is, I suggest you read this book now! Insanely funny, disturbingly honest, and delivered straight from the heart, this book just makes me like NOFX even more than I already do!! Read it now fuckers!!"--Fletcher, Pennywise The Interrobang, 5/29/16 "Honest and sincere tales of life as members of one of the longest running and most influential Punk bands." Classic Rock, May 2016 "Compiled in the style of Motley Crue's The Dirt, this readable and engaging account of a band who live life almost as fast as the music they play is predictably rip-roaring...For being a book that spares nothing, this one is hard to beat." AM New York, 3/27/16 "[A] raw, tell-all autobiography." Ultimate Guitar, 3/21/16 "Aside from being very entertaining, it is also a very informative book about a band who, for the vast majority of their career, refused to do interviews and refused to sign to a major label, even when bands like Green Day and Blink-182 were cashing in." Alternative Press Magazine, 4/7/16 "NOFX have been through a lot during their long history as a band. Like, really: a lot. Their new book, The Hepatitis Bathtub And Other Stories, details it all and does so in true, painfully honest NOFX fashion...The band held nothing back." Media Mikes, 4/12/16 "An in-depth look at the seedier underbelly of rock n' roll bastard step son know as Punk Rock...Definitely not for the faint of heart. The book and its writers pull no punches as they are both candid and real as they can be...Even if you have never heard of the band NOFX or its members do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book!" San Diego CityBeat, 4/11/16 "Disturbingly funny...LOL-worthy tales of a veteran band's life on the road." Phoenix New Times, 4/14/16 "A book illustrating the ups and downs of a punk band climbing their way to success all on their own." Communities Digital News, 4/8/16 "While many might expect a NOFX book to be filled with humor and non-stop hilarity, that couldn't be further from reality...The band opens up to tell some of their darkest stories about their lives...Sure, there is some humor, but overall, the book is loaded with sadness. It is amazing that from the ashes of all of their lives a band like NOFX could not only rise, but continue to thrive." Associated Press, 4/27/16 "Punk rock mainstays NOFX have been defying music industry trends for three decades. Now its members can add a new achievement to their unlikely success story: Best-selling authors." Exclaim!, 4/25/16 "A compelling, often harrowing read." NeuFutur, 4/6/16 "Surprisingly sincere...Much like the band's music, which buries moments of deep political and emotional topics inside of goofy, often sophomoric humor, the book's emotive moments are buttressed by wild stories about partying on the road...Even if you've never been a big fan of NOFX, the book is a refreshing honest look at a struggling independent band dead set on compromising nothing and still managing to be successful." Bad Feeling Magazine, 5/15/16 "With often unflinching honestly, NOFX have recounted a harrowing story that showcases the real life pain behind the band's often-obnoxious facade. It makes for a compelling read, and provides a unique fly-on-the-wall look at one of punk rock's most unlikely success stories." Racer X Illustrated, July 2016 "This is the story of a band going through some big struggles and eventually hitting it big...and it's an easy read." Music Connection, June 2016 "These stories will shock fans and non-fans alike." Austin Chronicle, 6/17/16 "Punk lit's equivalent to Motley Crue's debauched autobiography The Dirt." San Diego City Beat, 7/6/16 "Sometimes the book is violent, sometimes it's absolutely horrifying, but it holds nothing back. It's fascinating to follow the individual members as they deal with drug abuse and the deaths of parents, to getting clean and becoming parents. While there are plenty of shocking stories, the biggest surprise may be how sincere they are. In the beginning, you'll be glad these people weren't your friends, but by the end you'll wish they were...A book that's impossible to put down--even if you will occasionally want to hold it at arm's length." Scanner Zine, 7/11/16 "Excellent...An original and satisfying read...Those looking for scandal, yes you will read it. Those looking for insight, you'll read that too. Those looking for a classic Punk Rock memoir, you will definitely read it...Hard to put down...It's a genuine rags-to-riches Punk Rock story." Praise for NOFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub and Other Stories A New York Times Bestseller! "I can say with certainty I've never read a rock biography with such balanced elements of sensation and sincerity. Like the few great band bios, the array of experiences described in The Hepatitis Bathtub are enough to set anyone into contemplation about strength and perseverance, love and depravity, camaraderie, and a place for misfit rock and rollers in a society that to this day clings to rigid standards. A must-read for punks new and old and an eye-opening read for all new-comers."--John Cameron Mitchell, Hedwig and the Angry Inch "NOFX and Fat Mike are amongst the most powerful influences of my genre. This book is a 'must own' for anyone who still cherishes what is left of Punk and Rock 'n' Roll."--Joan Jett "Not for the faint of heart, and therefore HIGHLY recommended to EVERYBODY."--Amanda Palmer "Fucking gnarly. And great!"--Billie Joe Armstrong, Green Day "Fat Mike is a rarity in music, an unadulterated authentic. In a profession filled with phonies and withholders, Mike shines as someone who always lets his freak flag fly. I like that a lot."--Jane Wiedlin, The Go-Go's Tampa Bay Times, 4/17/16 "A harrowing memoir...The Hepatitis Bathtub is peopled with lunatics, sociopaths, addicts and loved ones who couldn't escape the punk abyss, with the band struggling to survive dark turns ranging from drug abuse to counterfeiting to disastrous investments to friends' deaths to, um, matricide (allegedly)." Live Nation TV, 4/19/16 "The Bathtub's tales are not for the faint of heart." San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/13/16 "[A] no-B.S. book." Exclaim.ca, 4/18/16 "Tells the band's rise from shitty L.A. upstarts to the kings of pop-punk...It's also teeming with the kinds of sordid tales of drunken hooliganism and abject squalor that would put Motley Crue to shame." Punk Rock Theory, 4/18/16 "The Hepatitis Bathtub and Other Stories doesn't disappoint. Some of these stories will make you laugh out loud, others will make you cringe and there may have even been a couple of tears at some point...It dives headfirst into the history of the band. And yes, it gets as crazy as you'd expect it to...The Hepatitis Bathtub is not just for the fans though. It's a story about perseverance. About chasing your dreams. About having the odds stacked against you, but succeeding nonetheless. About underdogs that end up at the top." Chapter 16, 4/20/16 "A tell-all memoir...The overarching themes of the book are universal and inspiring, but on a concrete level this memoir is pretty raw...Absolute candor is actually what unifies the book and makes it impossible to put down...From their humble beginnings in one of the country's toughest punk scenes to superstardom, NOFX never fails to entertain." Nashville Scene, 4/21/16 "[A] revealing new memoir...Staggering and, in some cases, heartbreaking...But Hepatitis Bathtub makes it impossible to look the other way...The format reads like a sweeping, intriguing conversation, but the book also has a cinematic quality, as each person recalls the same moments in time from his own perspective." Nashville Tennessean, 4/20/16 "Offers a no-holds-barred look at the band, as the four members--'Fat Mike' Burkett, Aaron 'El Jefe' Abeyta, Eric Melvin and Erik 'Smelly' Sandin--share memories from their 30-plus years together." Kerrang! , 4/25/16 "Every bit as hilarious, disgusting and boundary-hyphen free as you'd expect from a band who've spent three decades in the punk trenches filling themselves with drugs and booze." The A.V. Club, 4/11/16 "Does a great job of putting some of the biggest moments for NOFX into the larger context of punk and the rise of bands like Green Day and Bad Religion... NOFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub and Other Stories ultimately is a tale of a band's sheer will to exist and its unlikely success." New Noise, 4/12/16 "For most of their career, NOFX have been mislabeled and widely known as the funny punk band that shouldn't be taken too seriously. There's no doubt that, after reading their work of non-fiction, fans will see them in a different light." New Noise, 4/12/16 "The candid demeanor of their stories mirrors the ethics the band have held all along--not always pleasant, but a direct reflection of their early DIY roots...Hepatitis Bathtub covers it all. Whether a casual listener, hardcore fan, or a 'couldn't give a fuck about NOFX' character, this book is an evolutionary tale of grimy, realistic fun worth learning to read for." For the Love of Punk, 4/12/16 "NOFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub and Other Stories may be the most filthy literature you'll ever read...A must read for any fan of punk rock, even if you hate NOFX." Ground Control Magazine, 4/12/16 "A definitive history of NOFX. No attempt is made to cover or smooth out any rough or hard memories, everything feels as though it has been included in the name of telling the whole story...The character of each band member is meticulously presented and articulated and, after one has made it through the whole book, readers are left feeling as though they truly know them...In a world where many rock bios seek to do little more than collect myths, NOFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub and Other Stories bravely stands and tells the great, unbelievable truth." OC Weekly, 4/13/16 "The first opportunity for fans to hear NOFX's stories from their own perspective...A welcome look into the history of a band that once went as far as shutting out all press opportunities and interviews...Shines a whole new light on a band that's been around for longer than many other punk rockers have even been alive. While some stories are what their diehard fans will expect them to be, much of the book will shock even those who have followed the band for 30 years." "This book is a page-turner for any reality reader. And if you're a NOFX fan? Well damn, you gotta check it out!...Funny, sad, and outrageous." ?New Noise Magazine, "Top 16 Punk(ish) Chunks of 2016"

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Book SynopsisThe first book to make sense of 21st Century pop, Retromania explores rock''s nostalgia industry of revivals, reissues, reunions and remakes, and argues that there has never before been a culture so obsessed with its own immediate past. Pulling together parallel threads from music, fashion, art, and new media, Simon Reynolds confronts a central paradox of our era: from iPods to YouTube, we''re empowered by mind-blowing technology, but too often it''s used as a time machine or as a tool to shuffle and rearrange music from yesterday.We live in the digital future but we''re mesmerized by our analogue past.

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Book SynopsisMichael Jackson: provocateur, icon, enigma. Who was he, really? And how does his spectacular rise, his catastrophic fall, reflect upon those who made him, those who broke him, and those who loved him? Almost ten years on from Jackson's untimely death, here is Margo Jefferson's definitive and dazzling dissection of the King of Pop: a man admired for his music, his flair, his performances; and censured for his skin, his erratic behaviour, and, in his final years, for his relationships with children.Trade ReviewA startlingly forthright consideration of what drove Jackson then and what drives our thinking of him now * Esquire *Dazzling * Tatler *Margo Jefferson's excellent, empathic take on the singer, encapsulating the pressures of being a child star, the most famous person on the planet and having a complicated legacy that can sometimes make people forget about the music -- ‘Best Summer Books’ selected by Nikesh Shukla * Observer *Margo Jefferson's take on his life covers all its complexities -- ‘Best Summer Books’ selected by Richard Fitzpatrick * Irish Examiner *A sizzling summer read * Daily Mail *Succinct, analytical, non-linear, echoing a style of Susan Sontag perhaps or early Joan Didion * Quarterly Review *

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Book SynopsisChristine McVie - born Christine Perfect - was the quintessentially English rock star, as both the backbone and the beating heart of Fleetwood Mac.Straddling the band's incarnations to achieve global fame alongside Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham and John McVie, the classic line-up, she wrote and performed many of their greatest hits.As famous for their occasionally life-threateningly decadent lifestyles as for their musical brilliance, they were held together by this strong, constant figure whom they dubbed 'the mother' of the band. It was Christine who contained the flock, regrouped them when they went AWOL, focused and blended their talents and always got them back on track.And yet, as the 'engine' of the band during their Rumours era - an album which charted the complete romantic disintegration within the band - Christine's personal life was every bit as tempestuous as those of her bandmates, weathering affa

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - AND THE GIFT THAT WILL BE ON EVERY BRUCE AND BARACK FAN''S WISH LIST!Two long-time friends share an intimate and urgent conversation about life, music and their enduring love of America, with all its challenges and contradictions, in this stunningly-produced expansion of their groundbreaking Higher Ground podcast, featuring more than 350 photographs, exclusive bonus content, and never-before-seen archival material.Renegades: Born in the USA is a candid, revealing, and entertaining dialogue between President Barack Obama and legendary musician Bruce Springsteen that explores everything from their origin stories and career-defining moments to their country''s polarized politics and the growing distance between the American Dream and the American reality. Filled with full-colour photographs and rare archival material, it is a compelling and beautifully illustrated portrait of two outsiders-one Black and one white-looking for a way to connect their unconventional searches for meaning, identity, and community with the American story itself.It includes: Original introductions by President Obama and Bruce Springsteen Exclusive new material from the Renegades podcast recording sessions Obama''s never-before-seen annotated speeches, including his Remarks at the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Marches Springsteen''s handwritten lyrics for songs spanning his 50-year-long career Rare and exclusive photographs from the authors'' personal archives Historical photographs and documents that provide rich visual context for their conversation.In a recording studio stocked with dozens of guitars, and on at least one Corvette ride, Obama and Springsteen discuss marriage and fatherhood, race and masculinity, the lure of the open road and the call back to home. They also compare notes on their favourite protest songs, the most inspiring American heroes of all time, and more. Along the way, they reveal their passion for-and the occasional toll of-telling a bigger, truer story about America throughout their careers, and explore how their fractured country might begin to find its way back toward unity.Trade ReviewThere is a lot to be enjoyed as they dig into a subject that has underpinned their very different careers: the gap between the glowing aspiration and cracked reality of the so-called American Dream . . . there is some serious political and philosophical content here. Springsteen and Obama are articulate and idealistic orators, and the conversation relentlessly pushes towards the shared goal of reclaiming a liberal, progressive vision of America in post-Trumpian times * Daily Telegraph *This new book of conversations, photos and speeches is a beautifully presented, coffee table-friendly smorgasbord of uplift . . . Annotated versions of Obama speeches on their original notepaper, most movingly his passionate and compassionate eulogy for civil rights activist John Lewis ("like John, we have to keep getting into good trouble"), feel like a window on to history, as, to a lesser extent, do rather more pristine, handwritten Springsteen lyrics * iNews *One may be a songwriter and the other a politician but Bruce Springsteen and Barack Obama are both gifted storytellers who have crafted a story about themselves and their nation . . . Renegades reminds us that despite the hardness of the world and the challenges that demand to be faced there still exists the promise of better days -- Sarfraz ManzoorIn this beautifully curated coffee-table book, which bulks up the extended podcast transcripts with photographs, annotated speeches and handwritten song lyrics to lend a degree of polished intimacy, these American heavyweights find the silver linings adorning even the darkest of clouds * The Times *Renegades: Born in the USA is human, vulnerable, smart, and passionate . . . Obama and Springsteen admire their country while considering its shortcomings and still come out the other side with a sense of patriotism and hope that spills over the bounds of a book * Associated Press *A collection of intimate and thoughtful conversations between the President and the Boss * Los Angeles Times *Do you dream of scoring an invitation to Springsteen's Colts Neck compound? Maybe strumming on those guitars, riding horses, riffing on the American experiment in the recording studio? Unless you're an American president, you're going to have to get in line. But in between daydreams, pick up Renegades. It's the closest thing to being a fly on the wall of an incredible friendship * Esquire *

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Book SynopsisREVISED, UPDATED AND WITH A NEW FOREWORD BY PAUL ABBOTTThis edition of Suburban 100 includes new lyrics from the critically acclaimed albums, 22 Dreams and Wake Up the Nation, which has been nominated for the Mercury Music Award.Paul Weller first burst onto the national music scene with The Jam in 1977 and was quickly marked apart from his contemporaries as a brilliant lyricist. In a writing career that has now spanned three decades, his songs have been acclaimed, imitated and loved by many. Suburban 100 - the first selection of Paul Weller''s lyrics - draws on songs written for The Jam, The Style Council and solo releases that, together, tell stories of life and love, rage and romance. The youthful frustrations of small-town life that fuelled Weller''s early writing is palpable, as is the angry but poignant response to Thatcher''s Britain. His lyrics, rooted in English suburban culture, explore the hopes, dreams and

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Book SynopsisThe mesmerizing autobiography of one of the most revered soul, jazz, and blues divas of our time-the late Nina SimoneTrade ReviewLincoln Center Institute Resource Center blog, 7/9/09 "Compelling, honest, and powerful. It is meticulously packed with historical information on America during some of its ugliest times, coming from the voice of someone who lived through it everyday...a voice of a woman who devoted her adult life to changing the face of society...From a musical standpoint alone, I Put a Spell On You is an extremely valuable read. However, this would also be a unique, relevant and worthwhile addition to any high-school or collegiate history library, or anyone with an interest in the civil rights movement both politically and artistically."

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Book SynopsisThis definitive biography of rap supergroup, Wu-Tang Clan, features decades of unpublished interviews and unparalleled access to members of the group and their associates.This is the definitive biography of rap supergroup and cultural icons, Wu-Tang Clan (WTC). Heralded as one of the most influential groups in modern music—hip hop or otherwise—WTC created a rap dynasty on the strength of seven gold and platinum albums that launched the careers of such famous rappers as RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and more. During the ‘90s, they ushered in a hip-hop renaissance, rescuing rap from the corporate suites and bringing it back to the gritty streets where it started. In the process they changed the way business was conducted in an industry known for exploiting artists. Creatively, Wu-Tang pushed the boundaries of the artform dedicating themselves to lyrical mastery and sonic innovation, and one would be hard

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Book SynopsisThis is the definitive biography of rap supergroup, Wu-Tang Clan (WTC). Widely regarded as one of the most influential groups in modern music--hip hop or otherwise--WTC has released seven albums [including four gold and platinum studio albums, as well as the genre-defining Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)] and has launched the careers of famous rappers like RZA, Ol'' Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and more. Beyond the musicians in the group itself, WTC has also collaborated with many of the biggest names in the game-from Busta Rhymes and Redman to Nas and Kanye West), and one is hard pressed to find a group who''s had a bigger impact on the evolution of the hip hop genre.S.H. Fernando, Jr. is a journalist who has interviewed WTC several times over the past several decades for publications like Rolling Stone, Vibe, and The Source. Over the years, he has built up a formidable archive--including over 100 pages of unpublished transcribed

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Book SynopsisMusic Saved Them, They Say: Social Impacts of Music-Making and Learning in Kinshasa (DR Congo) explores the role music-making has played in community projects run for young people in the poverty-stricken and often violent surroundings of Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The musicians described here former gang members and so-called witch children living on the streets believe music was vital in (re)constructing their lives. Based on fieldwork carried out over the course of three-and-a-half years of research, the study synthesizes interviews, focus group sessions, and participant observation to contextualize this complicated cultural and social environment. Inspired by those who have been saved by music, Music Saved Them, They Say seeks to understand how structured musical practice and education can influence the lives of young people in such difficult living conditions, in Kinshasa and beyond.... a tribute to the persisTrade Review"It has been a notable feature of Pairon’s approach to his research that it has been conducted with and for his participants. Their voices are so vivid, brought to life with a plethora of detailed quotes that one can almost feel present in the room as they make and discuss their music. In this way, the book is also a tribute to the persistence, engagement and courage of the people in these projects, who can be proud that their work is now exposed to a global audience, not just of researchers but also to practitioners around the world who could learn from and be inspired by these hitherto unknown projects. Accordingly, the language of this book is accessible and non-technical to promote maximum engagement." —John Sloboda, Research Professor, Guildhall School of Music & Drama "Lukas Pairon has given us an exhilarating and incisive read, one in which he systematically dismantles the many myths that glorify music's 'magical powers' to change lives and replaces them with insightful, analytical assessments that allow the voices of the participant musicians to be heard in more ways than one. Through the process, he powerfully demonstrates how music can realistically change people's lives, in ways that are both limited but also profound. This book is very moving but never sentimental, one of the best accounts of music's real transformative capacities that I have come across." —Lucy Green, Emerita Professor of Music Education, University College London Institute of Education "It has been a notable feature of Pairon’s approach to his research that it has been conducted with and for his participants. Their voices are so vivid, brought to life with a plethora of detailed quotes that one can almost feel present in the room as they make and discuss their music. In this way, the book is also a tribute to the persistence, engagement and courage of the people in these projects, who can be proud that their work is now exposed to a global audience, not just of researchers but also to practitioners around the world who could learn from and be inspired by these hitherto unknown projects. Accordingly, the language of this book is accessible and non-technical to promote maximum engagement." —John Sloboda, Research Professor, Guildhall School of Music & Drama "Lukas Pairon has given us an exhilarating and incisive read, one in which he systematically dismantles the many myths that glorify music's 'magical powers' to change lives and replaces them with insightful, analytical assessments that allow the voices of the participant musicians to be heard in more ways than one. Through the process, he powerfully demonstrates how music can realistically change people's lives, in ways that are both limited but also profound. This book is very moving but never sentimental, one of the best accounts of music's real transformative capacities that I have come across." —Lucy Green, Emerita Professor of Music Education, University College London Institute of Education Table of ContentsList of Figures / Foreword / Preface / Acknowledgements / Introduction / Chapter 1: The Case Studies: Espace Masolo and Beta Mbonda / Chapter 2: Practitioner Research / Chapter 3: Why Make Music at All? / Chapter 4: Artistic and Social Accompaniment: The Teaming Up of Musicians/Teachers/Mentors/Educators / Chapter 5: Behind the Wheel: The Role of Competence and Mastering / Chapter 6: Shared Ownership: The Potential of Empowerment through Participation in Internal Organization and Governance Related to Music-Making / Chapter 7: Music As an End in Itself: The Role of Enjoyment/Play / About the Author / Index

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Book SynopsisWhat was I fighting for? Even now I'm not sure. Something so old and so deep, it has no words, no shape, no logic.Viv Albertine has always been obsessed with the truth: the truth about family, power, and her identity as a rebel and outsider. But at what cost? In this brutally honest memoir she relentlessly exposes human dysfunctionality: the impossibility of intimacy, and the damage wrought upon us by secrets and revelations, siblings and parents. Written with Albertine's unique vulnerability and intelligence, To Throw Away Unopened is a startling self-portrait and a testament to rebuilding oneself and facing the world again.

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Book SynopsisThe Tastemaker charts the singular life of a man who has been at the beating heart of music's most iconic moments for over sixty years and features stories of his time working with everyone from the Beatles to the Ronettes and Elton John to the Rolling Stones. ''This is a brilliant book by a brilliant man. A magician with perfect taste. Thank God I met him. He is gold dust!''ELTON JOHNLeaving school at the age of sixteen to start his career in the music industry at Decca Records, Tony King would soon find himself becoming a close friend and confidante to some of the world's biggest artists a far cry from his childhood days in Eastbourne. Living in an era of seismic social, technological and cultural transformation, King experienced these defining moments as an influential figure in London and New York's gay scenes. Despite his heady life in showbusiness, however, he would soon learn that a glittering career couldn't shield him

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Book SynopsisContaining eight songs, this book includes a recorded soundalike CD, with full performance demonstrations and backing tracks for you to play and sing along to. It is transcribed from the original recordings for bass guitar, in standard notation and tablature with melody line and chord symbols.Table of ContentsAmerican Idiot; Basket Case; Boulevard Of Broken Dreams; Brain Stew; Longview; Minority; Wake Me Up When September Ends; When I Come Around

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsGood Day; Choker; Shy Away; The Outside; Saturday; Never Take It; Mulberry Street; Formidable; Bounce Man; No Chances

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Book SynopsisFilled with more than 250 images of artists including Ice Cube, The Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Naughty by Nature, Public Enemy, 50 Cent, N.W.A, Snoop Dogg, Lil' Kim, Flavor Flav, Lauren Hill, Queen Latifah, TLC, Sean Combs, many that have never before been published, this book is set to become the new hip-hop photography bibleTrade Review"More than 250 vintage snaps documenting the evolution of hip hop and the artists who shaped it on both coasts, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes images of everyone from Biggie to Tupac to N.W.A., all accompanied by Brother Ernie’s personal anecdotes and candid stories behind the images." —Inside Hook"To capture history, you have to be present for it. Hip Hop at the End of the World: The Photography of Ernie Paniccioli (Rizzoli; $40) is filled with photos only Paniccioli has because, from the mid-1970s forward, only Paniccioli thought to be there — and was permitted in the room. (That’s an underappreciated photographic skill: not getting kicked out.)" —NEW YORK TIMES

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Book SynopsisTelling their story in their own words, with exclusive photos and behind-the-scenes gossip, this is a must-have for any Little Mix fan. Little Mix are the UK''s most successful girl band. They first found fame - and each other - on The X Factor in 2011. Five years later they have gone from strength to strength, achieving huge global success. With three platinum-selling albums in the UK and over 14 million record sales worldwide, the band are both adored by their fans and critically acclaimed for their brilliant music. In this book the girls share the real behind-the-scenes story of both their personal lives and their success. They reveal the many highs - what it feels like to perform in front of thousands of people; the excitement of seeing your music soar to Number One around the world - but also the lows. Through it all the girls have had each other, and their incredibly close friendship has grown stronger and stronger as the years have gone by. NTrade ReviewCelebrate Little Mix's first UK number-one album - Glory Days - by reading the full story of the girls' astonishing rise to pop super stardom. Our World is full of exclusive photos and inspirational stories about Jade, Perrie, Jesy and Leigh-Anne's unique friendship. * from the publisher's description *Our World is the official tell-all book from the UK's biggest girl band, Little Mix. Brimming with exclusive photos, the girls share their hopes and dreams for the future, their families, their relationships, their style advice and above all their friendship. This is Little Mix's story in their own words, telling you everything you need to know about their lives both in and out of the spotlight. * from the publisher's description *

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Book SynopsisWith a foreword by Paul McCartney'It's semi-devotional -- a really special place' Florence Welch'There are certain things that are mythical. Abbey Road is mythical' Nile RodgersMany people will recognise the famous zebra crossing. Some visitors may have graffitied their name on its hallowed outer walls. Others might even have managed to penetrate the iron gates. But what draws in these thousands of fans here, year after year? What is it that really happens behind the doors of the most celebrated recording studio in the world?It may have begun life as an affluent suburban house, but it soon became a creative hub renowned around the world as a place where great music, ground-breaking sounds and unforgettable tunes were forged - nothing less than a witness to, and a key participant in, the history of popular music itself.What has been going on there for over ninety years has called for skills that are musical, creative, technical, mechanical, interpersonal, logistical, managerial, chemical and, romantics might be tempted add, close to magic.This is for the people who believe in the magic.Trade ReviewEngrossing...A stirring narrative that mirrors pop's twists and turns from its earliest days to the present * Slate *A hugely enjoyable read for anyone who has ever bought a record, told with Hepworth's characteristic dry humour, beautifully illustrated and with a foreword by Paul McCartney...Engrossing, extansively researched -- Roger Alton * Daily Mail *Hepworth captures the feeling of immediacy and excitement that exemplified the storied St John's Wood studio...An appropriately pacy chronicle of rapid cultural/technological evolution -- Ian Fortnum * Classic Rock *The story of recorded music itself. Great details leap from every page -- Tom Doyle * Mojo *Hepworth, one of the most authoritative music journalists and historians, brings the studio in suburban London to life * Big Issue *

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Book SynopsisIan Hunter's fifty-year-long career and extensive repertoire of percipient, creative songs have earned him a reputation as a true rock phenomenon. This first part of a two-volume, authorised biography charts Ian's unique musical journey from his formative rock 'n' roll years to his commercial success as the face and voice of legendary Seventies British band, Mott the Hoople. Featuring insider accounts of the group's roller coaster ride and international triumphs via classic records including `All the Young Dudes', `Roll Away the Stone' and MOTT, this captivating book exposes personal trials and tribulations, the bizarre aspects of the rock business and the absurdity of music-related fame. Based on interviews with Hunter, all his Hoople band mates and an impressive cast of supporting characters, Rock 'n' Roll Sweepstakes: Mott's the Story is a fascinating, frank biography of a highly influential band and a special music icon.

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Book SynopsisTomasz Stańko is arguably the greatest jazz musician Poland has ever produced. His career spanned almost 60 years until his death in 2018. A visionary trumpeter and composer, a protégé of Krzysztof Komeda and a colleague of musicians from Poland, Sweden, Norway, Britain, Cuba and the USA, his impact on jazz internationally was profound, proving that jazz was not exclusively an American art form but truly world-wide. In 2014 he was awarded the Polytika Passport in Poland, the Prix du Musicien Européan in Paris and the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik. The book is a no-holds-barred extended interview with broadcaster Rafał Księżyk originally published in Polish by Wydawnictwo Literackie.Table of ContentsChapter 1: Born Twice Chapter 2: First Cigarette, First Bottle Chapter 3: Komeda Chapter 4: Poetry and Jazz Chapter 5: Stańkomania Chapter 6: A Proust-reading Boxer Chapter 7: ‘I was Marlene Dietrich’ Chapter 8: Jazz in the Ruhr Area Chapter 9: ‘The Full Catastrophe!’ Chapter 10: Green Face Chapter 11: Bending the Note Chapter 12: Whistling in the Temple Chapter 13: A White Black Man in Communist Poland Chapter 14: At Remont Chapter 15: Purple Liquor Chapter 16: ‘Hamulczyki, namulczyki, amulczyki’ Chapter 17: Short-cut Chapter 18: Empathy for the Devil Chapter 19: A Peruvian and a Minor Sixth Chapter 20: View from the high-wire Chapter 21: The Feminist Chapter 22: A Prim, Bluish Man Chapter 23: Maldoror’s War Song Chapter 24: Thoughts on Simplicity Chapter 25: Theme for Trumpet Chapter 26: Children and the Vampire Chapter 27: From Afar Chapter 28: A Certain Kind of Vitality A Chronology/Time Line of Tomasz Stańko’s Life and Works Discography

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Book SynopsisA history of the last seventy years of popular music, particularly Rock and Roll, combined with a personal story of artistic aspiration overtaken by conventional career.

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